G>mplimentafy Banquet to Luthcf Burbanfc 



The significance of this reflection is such that were I 

 not a resident of Santa Rosa, the home of Luther Burbank, 

 I could not expect an invitation to address you, nor would 

 I venture the risk of introducing a discordant note into this 

 s)Tnphony of beautiful sentiment and apt expression for which 

 we must acknowledge ourselves indebted to these gentlemen, 

 voicing as they do the universal feeling of our people towards 

 the greatest benefactor of this State. 



But, prompted by an instinct of courtesy, it is deemed 

 appropriate by the committee to have a representative of his 

 home town to indicate, however feebly, the esteem for the 

 honored guest entertained by his neighbors and fellow citi- 

 zens, among whom he has lived and toiled for so many years, 

 performing quietly and effectively that work for humanit>' 

 which shall endure till the end of time. 



The inhabitants of our beautiful little city contemplate 

 with pardonable pride the many advantages with which we 

 have been favored by a beneficent Providence. 



Our climate is unsurpassed, the soil is wonderfully pro- 

 ductive, the people are prosperous and happy. All the con- 

 ditions of life arc favorable for the comfort and welfare of a 

 thrifty, intelligent and industrious citizenship. No more 

 ideal spot could be selected, probably, for the home of such 

 a m.an as Luther Burbank. 



But the many attractions of the place, and of the sur- 

 rounding country, are for the time forgotten, as distinctive 

 features, when we consider the fact that this wholesome, 

 serious, earnest, kindly, loving, talented and enthusiastic re- 

 vealer of Nature's most valuable secrets is content to live 

 with us, and thereby associate in the minds of the intelligent 

 people of the world our beautiful little cit}^ with the imper- 

 ishable name of Luther Burbank. 



